South Africa have never won an ODI series against India in India. With two games left to play in the current five-match series and the Proteas leading 2-1, they can turn their fortunes around.

It will be a historic milestone if AB de Villiers and his men can pull it off and it probably means they will resist the temptation to rest players like Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel, especially if India square the series 2-2 on Thursday.

Morkel is an injury concern ahead of the fourth ODI in Chennai after he sustained a leg injury in South Africa’s 18-run win on Sunday. He battled through the pain to complete his overs and was crowned Man-of-the-Match after claiming 4-39 to crush India’s chase.

‘I’m a little bit concerned about it, but we’ve got a quality medical team that will help me,’ Morkel said about his injury after Sunday’s game.

‘I’m confident I’ll be ready for the next game.’

India won the very first ODI series between the sides in 1991/92 2-1 when the late Clive Rice was captain. In 1999/00 India came out on top 3-2 after winning three of the first four games.

The closest South Africa came to winning a series was in 2005/06, but after the third ODI was abandoned the series was drawn 2-2.

The 2010/11s series was a bit one-sided after India won the first two matches to take the series 2-1

Morkel said he felt a complete performance from South Africa was around the corner.

‘We are close to playing the perfect game,’ he said. ‘At the moment we are playing at about 75% and I think we are due to play a solid game and hopefully that can be the next ODI.’